Explore Split: A Guide for Automation Summit Attendees

Automation Summit takes place in Split on 15 and 16 October 2026, at Le Méridien Lav in Podstrana, a coastal resort roughly 8 km south of the old town. If it is your first time in Split, a little planning turns two conference days into a genuinely good trip. This guide covers the practical parts, getting there, where to stay, how to move around, and where to eat, plus the parts of the city and coast worth your time if you can add a day on either side.

Split is the largest city on Croatia's Dalmatian coast, and one of the easiest places on it to reach and enjoy. It is compact, walkable at its centre, and built around a Roman palace that people still live and work inside. You do not need much to enjoy it. You do need to know a few things first.

Getting to Split

Most international visitors arrive at Split Airport (SPU), which sits in Kaštela, west along the coast from the city. It is a small, straightforward airport with direct connections to many European hubs, so the last leg is usually short.

From the airport to Le Méridien Lav in Podstrana is roughly a 25 to 30 minute drive in normal traffic. The cleanest options:

• Taxi or ride-hailing: Bolt and Uber both operate in Split and are usually cheaper and easier than a street taxi. A car from the airport straight to the venue is the simplest arrival, especially with luggage.
• Private transfer: when you book your room on the accommodation page you can add an airport transfer in the same step, which is the easiest way to sort it in advance. The hotel and local operators also offer pre-booked transfers. A good option if you are arriving late or travelling as a group.
• Public bus: budget buses run from the airport toward Split's main bus station, but reaching Podstrana this way means a change and a longer journey. Fine if you have time, less ideal on arrival day.

If you would rather explore the coast independently, renting a car at the airport is painless. Just note that Podstrana and the old town both have limited parking, so a car is more useful for day trips than for daily conference travel.

Where to stay

The easiest choice is the venue itself. Le Méridien Lav sits directly on the water in Podstrana, with its own stretch of beach and views across to the city and islands. Staying on site means you roll out of bed and into the conference, which is hard to beat during two busy days. Automation Summit has negotiated special rates for conference visitors. You can book your stay directly through the accommodation page.

The trade-off is location. Podstrana is a quiet resort strip, not the centre of the action. There is little within walking distance beyond the hotel, so evenings out mean a short drive or taxi into Split. The hotel runs a seasonal shuttle into town, worth checking at reception when you arrive.

If you would rather be in the middle of things, base yourself in or near Split's old town and travel to the venue each morning. You will trade the on-site convenience for restaurants, bars, and the palace on your doorstep. For a first visit, plenty of attendees split the difference: stay near the venue for the conference nights, then move into town for a night or two afterward.

Getting around Split

The old town is best on foot. It is small, largely pedestrianised, and the pleasure of it is wandering without a plan. Cars are more hindrance than help inside the historic centre.

Between Podstrana, the centre, and the airport, ride-hailing is your friend. Bolt and Uber are widely available and remove the guesswork of fares. Local buses connect Podstrana to the centre if you prefer, though for conference timing a quick Bolt is usually simpler.

For anything beyond the city, the ferry port and bus station sit right next to each other on the waterfront, a short ride from Podstrana. That is your gateway to the islands and the wider coast.

Food and culture

Split's centre is built inside Diocletian's Palace, a Roman complex from the fourth century that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a living part of the city. You can walk its cellars, stand in the Peristyle courtyard, and climb the cathedral bell tower for a view over the terracotta rooftops and the sea. Give yourself an unhurried couple of hours here.

The Riva is Split's palm-lined waterfront promenade, the natural place for a morning coffee or an evening drink while the city walks past. From there, the climb up Marjan hill rewards you with pine forest, quiet coves, and the best panorama of the city and islands.

On food, this is Dalmatia, so lean into it. Fresh Adriatic fish and seafood, grilled simply. Peka, meat or octopus slow-cooked under a bell-shaped lid, if you can find it and order ahead. Black risotto coloured with cuttlefish ink. Local olive oil, prosciutto from the region, and Dalmatian wines like Plavac Mali. Skip the obvious tourist spots right on the Riva and walk a few streets back for better cooking at fairer prices.

Extend your trip

If your schedule allows a spare day or two, Split is one of the best launch points on the coast, and it would be a shame to see only the inside of a conference hall.

• The islands: Hvar and Brač are both a straightforward ferry from Split's port. Hvar is lively and well known, Brač is home to the famous Zlatni Rat beach and a slower pace. Either makes a great day out, though October ferry schedules thin out, so check times before you commit.
• Trogir: a small, walled UNESCO town a short drive up the coast toward the airport, easy to fold into an arrival or departure day.
• Krka National Park: waterfalls and walking trails within day-trip reach, calmer in October than in peak summer.

Even a single extra afternoon in the old town, without the clock running, changes how the trip feels.

First-timer practicalities

A few things worth knowing before you land:

• Money: Croatia uses the euro. Cards are widely accepted in Split, though it is handy to carry some cash for small cafes, markets, and island trips.
• Weather: October in Split is mild and pleasant, warmer than most of northern Europe at that time of year, but the height of summer is over. Pack a light layer for the evenings and something for the occasional rain shower. The sea is often still warm enough for a swim early in the month.
• Getting online: EU roaming applies for European visitors, with no setup needed. From further afield, a local or e-SIM is cheap and easy, and the hotel and most cafes have reliable Wi-Fi.
• Language: Croatian is the local language, but English is widely spoken in Split, especially anywhere used to visitors. A few polite words go a long way, but you will manage comfortably in English.

Make the most of it

Two days at Automation Summit are the reason you are coming, but Split rewards anyone who gives it a little more. Sort your arrival, decide early whether to stay at the venue or in town, and if you can, build in a day to wander the palace or catch a ferry to an island. The conversations that make the conference worthwhile tend to carry on over dinner on the Riva or a coffee in the old town, so leave room for them.

If you have not booked yet, secure your Automation Summit pass before prices step up, and take a look at the full programme as you plan your two days in Split. See you in October.